Notorious (Playing With Fire)

And as he rammed himself deep inside her body, she clung to him for dear life. Her legs wrapped around his hips, her arms circled about his neck. Pressed her mouth against the smooth, hard skin of his shoulder and shuddered.

She was in big, big trouble.

Chapter Five

“I thought you were avoiding me.”

“Avoid you? Never. You’re my best friend.” Stacy smiled at Alexa from across the table. It was Sunday, and Alexa had called her first thing. Whereas she’d been avoiding her calls, she’d picked this one up thinking it might be Eric.

Whoops.

She lied through her teeth. She’d been avoiding her friend for weeks. Ever since that first time she was with Eric in every sense of the word.

And he’d had her every which way. God, he was good. Excellent in bed and constantly pushing her to try new things, do new, crazy, wonderful things. Which in turn made her want to do even crazier, outrageous things just to do them—because she knew he would be open to it.

If she gave her consent, she knew he would work his hardest to make her wildest dreams come true. And the next time she saw him, she would tell him that. Would whisper in his ear what she wanted to do.

Like be taken by two men. God, just the thought of it made her shiver. A fantasy she believed she’d never be able to consider…

Especially because she knew he wouldn’t judge her for making such a request. If anyone would understand, it was Eric.

Of course, he wasn’t perfect, no one was. He wasn’t the most consistent guy—for it was two, three, even five days before she heard from him—but for the last month, she’d had enough sex with Eric to make up for the dismal sex life she had with Keith.

The man was insatiable. She’d never had a better lover. But he was mysterious and close-mouthed, and he rarely revealed any personal details about himself. As if he might be afraid to.

She could relate. The next time they were together, she vowed to be more open with him.

“So what’s going on, Stacy? You look good.” Alexa studied her carefully, her gaze knowing. Almost too knowing. “You have a certain glow about you. Are you hiding something? You’re getting some, aren’t you?”

“I am not.” Her cheeks flushed with heat, and she shook her head. No way did she want to admit this. How the hell could Alexa tell?

“You so are. But I guess you don’t want to talk about it so I’ll leave it be until you’re ready.” Alexa smiled. “Is he any good?”

“I’m not going to dignify that question with an answer,” Stacy said haughtily, feeling like a snot. A lying little snot.

“I take it that means he’s amazing and he probably gives you a bazillion orgasms a night.” Alexa sighed and shook her head. “I envy you.”

“What? I thought your sex life with Brandon was perfect.” What with the way she went on and on about it when they were first together, just the two of them, Stacy had certainly though that was the case. From everything Alexa said, Brandon was a sex god with a capital S and G.

“It’s fine, really it is. We’re good. But…he’s busy with work. And so am I. So sometimes, we feel a—disconnect with each other.” Alexa glanced about the restaurant as if to make sure no one was too close and could overhear. Then she leaned in closer, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. “I’m thinking of talking to Eric and see if he’d be interested in joining us again. We miss him.”

The hairs on the back of Stacy’s neck stood on end, and her entire body stiffened. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Alexa reared back, seemed taken aback by her immediate answer. “Why do you say that?”

“Haven’t you put the guy through enough? Last you told me he was absolutely miserable with the situation and told the two of you upfront he couldn’t do it anymore. It was too difficult for him to see you two together and know he really wasn’t a part of it.” Inside she seethed. And worried. What would she do if Alexa actually went to Eric and he agreed to be with them again?

She didn’t know if she could take the rejection if it went down like that.

“We miss him so much. Both of us do,” Alexa repeated, looking sad.

“Well, maybe Eric doesn’t miss you.” God, she couldn’t believe how arrogant her friend was.

“How do you know?” Alexa cast a shrewd look in her direction. “You talk like you have some insider knowledge. What’s up?”

“Nothing.” Stacy shook her head and focused on her salad though she’d suddenly lost her appetite. Alexa still continued to watch her, she could feel it, and Stacy glanced up from her plate. “Okay, fine. I ran into him about a month ago. Right after Keith and I broke up. He was drinking a lot that night.”

She still thought he drank too much, but he didn’t seem to drink as often as he used to. But he was damaged goods, she couldn’t deny it.